Pop Music

Filmmaker John Waters is hosting 2020’s Burger Boogaloo in Oakland for the six year in a row. (Courtesy Erika Reinsel)

Bikini Kill to top lineup at 2020 Burger Boogaloo

Discounted tickets now on sale for July concerts in Oakland

Filmmaker John Waters is hosting 2020’s Burger Boogaloo in Oakland for the six year in a row. (Courtesy Erika Reinsel)
Michael Koppy appears at Book Passage in San Francisco’s Ferry Building on Dec. 14 to discuss his 2019 manifesto “Words and Music — Into the Future.” (Courtesy photo)

Michael Koppy sounds out on bad songwriting

‘Words and Music’ a vigorous critique of the sorry state of pop offerings

Michael Koppy appears at Book Passage in San Francisco’s Ferry Building on Dec. 14 to discuss his 2019 manifesto “Words and Music — Into the Future.” (Courtesy photo)
JD McPherson brings “Socks: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas Tour” to The City this week. (Courtesy Jim Herrington)

JD McPherson’s got the holiday spirit

‘Socks’ serves up retro rockin’ Christmas originals

JD McPherson brings “Socks: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas Tour” to The City this week. (Courtesy Jim Herrington)
From left, Alex Hairston (Disco Donna), Dan’yelle Williamson (Diva Donna) and Olivia Elease Hardy (Duckling Donna) sing up a storm in “Summer” at the Golden Gate Theatre. (Courtesy Matthew Murphy for Murphymade)

‘Summer’ turns up the old victrola

Disco queen’s hits sound great in shallow jukebox musical

From left, Alex Hairston (Disco Donna), Dan’yelle Williamson (Diva Donna) and Olivia Elease Hardy (Duckling Donna) sing up a storm in “Summer” at the Golden Gate Theatre. (Courtesy Matthew Murphy for Murphymade)
Los Straitjackets appear with X at the Independent in San Francisco on Dec. 9-11. (Courtesy Yep Roc Records)

Los Straitjackets celebrating 25 years of surf sounds — with masks

Instrumental band’s signature look inspired by luchador culture

Los Straitjackets appear with X at the Independent in San Francisco on Dec. 9-11. (Courtesy Yep Roc Records)
Of Monsters and Men — co-lead singer Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir is at center — plays Not So Silent Night at SAP Center on Dec. 7. (Courtesy Meredith Truax)

Of Monsters and Men inspired by the inexplicable

Icelandic band on tour with new recording ‘Fever Dream’

Of Monsters and Men — co-lead singer Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir is at center — plays Not So Silent Night at SAP Center on Dec. 7. (Courtesy Meredith Truax)
Cher was colorful on her Here We Go Again Tour at Chase Center on Thursday. (Chris Victorio/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Beat goes on in Cher’s fun ‘Here We Go Again Tour’

Entertaining diva, fashionista is inspirational, too

Cher was colorful on her Here We Go Again Tour at Chase Center on Thursday. (Chris Victorio/Special to S.F. Examiner)
From left, Marc Campbell, Mike Murphy, Jesse Blum, Mandy Lee, Etienne Bowler and Will Hehir are MisterWives. (Couresty Shervin Lainez)

MisterWives’ Mandy Lee writes songs from the heart

New York band on tour with EP ‘mini bloom’

From left, Marc Campbell, Mike Murphy, Jesse Blum, Mandy Lee, Etienne Bowler and Will Hehir are MisterWives. (Couresty Shervin Lainez)
Brittany Howard, on tour with her solo album, plays two Bay Area shows this week. (Courtesy Danny Clinch)

Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard goes solo

Eclectic album ‘Jaime’ pays tribute to singer’s late sister

Brittany Howard, on tour with her solo album, plays two Bay Area shows this week. (Courtesy Danny Clinch)
Toma Banjanin and Star Kendrick are Geowulf. (Courtesy photo)

Stars aligned for Geowulf’s Star Kendrick to make music

Dream pop duo tours with ‘My Resignation’

Toma Banjanin and Star Kendrick are Geowulf. (Courtesy photo)
Chelsea Wolfe’s new recording is “Birth of Violence.” (Courtesy John Crawford)

Chelsea Wolfe returns to nature

Gothic folk artist creates new album at secluded home

Chelsea Wolfe’s new recording is “Birth of Violence.” (Courtesy John Crawford)
Blossoms’ third album “Foolish Loving Spaces” is slated for release in January. (Courtesy photo)

UK’s Blossoms unspoiled by success

Band members stay close to family, friends at home

Blossoms’ third album “Foolish Loving Spaces” is slated for release in January. (Courtesy photo)
San Francisco punk pioneers Crime are profiled in a rockumentary premiering Nov. 14 at the Victoria Theatre. (Courtesy Larry Larson)

SF punk band Crime captured at prime in new movie

Doc tells story of pioneering band known for wearing police uniforms

San Francisco punk pioneers Crime are profiled in a rockumentary premiering Nov. 14 at the Victoria Theatre. (Courtesy Larry Larson)
Singer Aireene Espiritu created her musical experience as a way to promote connections between cultures. (Courtesy photo)

‘Color Coded Symphony’ promotes openness, unity

Singer Aireene Espiritu’s musical experience counteracts racism

  • Nov 10, 2019
Singer Aireene Espiritu created her musical experience as a way to promote connections between cultures. (Courtesy photo)
LaChaze brings her semi-autobiographical cabaret act to The City. (Courtesy photo)

Tony winner LaChanze is ‘Feeling Good’

Broadway star makes SF Bay Area Cabaret debut

LaChaze brings her semi-autobiographical cabaret act to The City. (Courtesy photo)
Robert Forster of Go-Betweens fame plays Swedish American Hall on Friday. (Courtesy Bleddyn Butcher)

Go-Betweens’ Robert Forster tours with ‘Inferno’

For several years, erudite Australian alt-rocker Robert Forster, former bandleader of the…

  • Nov 7, 2019
Robert Forster of Go-Betweens fame plays Swedish American Hall on Friday. (Courtesy Bleddyn Butcher)
Madonna dazzles the audience on her all-over-the-place “Madame X” tour. (Courtesy Stufish)

Madonna’s Madame X comes alive, rises

Pop diva takes control in ‘intimate’ Golden Gate Theatre

Madonna dazzles the audience on her all-over-the-place “Madame X” tour. (Courtesy Stufish)
Flea faces father complex in new memoir

Flea faces father complex in new memoir

‘Acid for the Children’ details Red Hot Chili Peppers’ star’s parent issues

Flea faces father complex in new memoir
Singer-songwriter Charley Crockett is on tour with his sixth album. (Courtesy Lyza Renee)

Charley Crockett back on the road after heart surgery

Alt-country crooner tells autobiographical stories on ‘The Valley’

Singer-songwriter Charley Crockett is on tour with his sixth album. (Courtesy Lyza Renee)
Peter Hook, pictured in 2018, is playing music by New Order and Joy Division on tour. (Courtesy Jody Hartley)

Peter Hook soldiers on with New Order music

Uniquely melodic veteran bassist pleased ‘just to be appreciated’

Peter Hook, pictured in 2018, is playing music by New Order and Joy Division on tour. (Courtesy Jody Hartley)